After her finishing her undergraduate degree, Virginia spent 6 years living and working in Chicago's lively theater scene. There, her love of new works and non-realistic styles blossomed. She then traveled the country for a few years before returning for her MFA in acting. In grad school she discovered a love of teaching, coaching, and directing. This discovery brought her back to academia to pursue a Ph.D. in Theater and Performance Studies here a Mizzou.